HUSTED TRIAL TRACKER: Jon Husted At The Center Of FirstEnergy Corruption Trial
February 4, 2026
Day 1 Trial Tracker: Husted Mentioned 21 Times
Columbus, Ohio — As the FirstEnergy bribery trial kicks off in Akron, one thing is already clear: Jon Husted is more deeply connected to the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history than already known.
On the very first day of proceedings, Husted was mentioned twenty one times, with his first mention coming less than twenty minutes after opening statements began. Husted is listed as a potential defense witness, underscoring how key his role was in the scheme that delivered a billion dollar bailout to corporations while sticking Ohio families with higher energy bills.
Ohio Democratic Party Senior Communications Advisor Tony Wen released the following statement:
“The reason Jon Husted’s name keeps coming up in this trial is simple: he played a key role in Ohio’s largest corruption scandal. From staying in constant communication with FirstEnergy executives to helping pass a billion dollar bailout that raised energy bills on families, Husted’s activities make it clear why he was FirstEnergy’s ‘golden boy.’ Ohioans deserve answers about how deep Husted’s ties go.”
Read more about Jon Husted’s role in Ohio’s largest corruption scandal:
- Neil Clark, a FirstEnergy lobbyist and co-defendant with former House Speaker Larry Householder, referred to Husted as FirstEnergy’s “golden boy.”
- Text messages between Husted and FirstEnergy Executives reveal that the trio were in constant communication “before, during and after his campaign.”
- Indicted FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones said Husted was a “good friend of FirstEnergy” who was “highly engaged” and “fighting to the end” in support of the massive bail out.
- Just weeks after Husted and DeWine were elected in 2018, they had dinner with Jones and Dowling at the Athletic Club of Columbus.
- Public records show that FirstEnergy funneled $1 million in dark money to a nonprofit backing Husted in 2017 — part of the same corrupt scheme that led to federal indictments.
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